BIO

Norman Ross played back, forward and centre in his two seasons at Norwood without quite consolidating his place in the league team.

Norm faced a tough assignment against Port Adelaide on debut, coming into a Norwood side weakened by the absence of its captain and vice-captain, ‘Wacka’ Scott and Ern Wadham.  He held down a half-back flank as Norwood, at home, led until Port levelled the scores with a goal two minutes from the end.  Port was deep in attack when the bell sounded.  It was a draw –Norwood 14.19, Port 15.13.

Norm’s last senior game, also at home, was not a success.  He was replaced at centre by Frank Sawley after West Adelaide took the early initiative and hung on for its first win of the season, by nine points, 16.11 to 13.14.  Norm kicked 10 goals in his 14 games with the reserves in 1930 and 1931 – nine goals in seven games in 1930.

Norm was born at Norwood on 29 January 1909.  He may have married Rebecca (Ruby) Allen and had one child.

Norm worked in a dental vocation but was unregistered in 1939 when he appeared in the Adelaide Police Court on a charge of having unlawfully practised dentistry for fee or reward.  He pleaded guilty and was fined £15 with £2 12/ costs.  He admitted he took mouth impressions of two men to make dentures for them.  His charge was £1 10/.  “These men implored me to do the work and said they were unemployed, but could get a job with the Fire Brigade if their teeth were all right,” he told the court.  “They said they could not afford to go to a dentist.”

Norm was living at Rose Park at that time.  His home town was recorded as Maylands when he enlisted in the 2nd AIF for World World II service on 3 July 1942.  His name is inscribed in the Adelaide Dental Ex-Servicemen’s Association Honour Board.  He died on 28 December 1968.

P Robins, D Cox, G Adams February 2021